Officials in North Carolina are using helicopters and high-water response vehicles to assist communities affected by Hurricane Helene. In mountainous areas of western North Carolina where roads are closed, volunteers on mules are delivering essentials such as food, water, and insulin to those affected by the storm. The organization Mountain Mule Packers is coordinating these efforts, transporting supplies to areas like Black Mountain and Swannanoa.
The death toll from Hurricane Helene currently stands at 162, with the number expected to rise as search and rescue efforts continue. The storm has caused historic levels of rain and flooding in several Southeast states, leading to fatalities in North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia. A new study published in the journal Nature suggests that hurricanes and tropical storms can indirectly cause more deaths over time than initially reported, with factors such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and suicide contributing to excess deaths.
Volunteers and organizations like Mountain Mule Packers are working tirelessly to provide support to those affected by Hurricane Helene, delivering much-needed supplies to areas that are inaccessible by traditional means of transportation. The devastating impact of the storm underscores the importance of preparedness and response efforts in the face of natural disasters.
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